Ornamentation in the East Slavic world

Decorative art and ornamentation of the East Slavic world in the 6th-9th centuries goes through a complicated path, reflecting both continuity at the level of folk art and the processing of external impulses at the elite level. Continuity is transmitted by a constant layer of independent, prestyle art with primitive geometric ornamentation. At the end of the 6th-7th centuries, the local geometric embossed style was formed. Elite art provides a specific variant of the styles of ornamentation common in Europe (abstract curvilinear style of palmate fibulae, anthropomorphic and zoomorphic plates and belt sets) and developments of their own in ornamentation of anthropozoomorphic fibulae. At the end of the 7th-8th centuries on the basis of acquaintance with the skills of filigree work and the shapes of Byzantine decorations, simple new forms of head jewelry were worked out, also prerequisites emerged for the geometric style of granulation technique. Cast ornaments of the Saltov culture were introduced. The embossed geometric style continues to develop on new forms of fibulae. The 9th century is mainly represented by ornamentation of prestyle level. Imported jewelry and impulses are rather limited. Yet this time may be regarded as the eve of creation of geometric granulation styles of the 10th century. A change of traditions is observed in elite art, reflecting external foreign impulses. The continuity-preserving foundation reworks external influences, changes styles in its favor, and develops shapes of its own.